Otis Nilo Atkinson

Nilo was the son of Otis Atkinson and Sadie Geneva Jarrett Atkinson, and was raised, with his three sisters, on his parents’ ranch outside of Evanston, Wyoming. He attended Evanston High School where he was Valedictorian of his class.

Nilo graduated from Brigham Young University and was a true-blue Cougar for life. At BYU he was elected Senior Class President. After serving on active duty as an officer in the United States Air Force, Nilo taught math for 31 years at Helix High School in La Mesa.

In 1961, Nilo married Betty Sayre for time and eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple. They were blessed to be the parents of five children. Ultimately their family was also joined by 16 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren (and counting). For Nilo, family was always his foremost priority. From their father, his children learned the value of hard work, lifelong education, dedicated service, self-reliance, the joy of music and loving family ties.

Throughout his life, Nilo was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He interrupted his college education to serve for two and one-half years as a missionary for the Church in the Northern States Mission, spending most of his time as a proselyting missionary in Iowa and Illinois. During his lifetime he was always willing to be of service to others – in church service projects, assisting friends, neighbors, and strangers whenever the opportunity arose. These efforts were always selfless, quiet acts of service – seeking no recognition for himself.

Growing up on a ranch in Wyoming during the 1930s and 1940s – times of scarcity due to the Great Depression and World War II - Nilo learned to be very resourceful. One of his favorite sayings was: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” His family and friends believed that he could fix anything – cars, appliances, home repairs and improvements. If a project required a tool, he usually had just the right tool for the job. One of his gifts was the innate ability to understand how things work and how to fix them. His children and many of his grandchildren worked side-by-side with Dad or Grandpa on numerous projects. Since he was always a teacher, these opportunities were hands-on learning experiences for his helpers!

Nilo loved music, had a beautiful tenor voice, and enjoyed performing. During his college years, he sang with the BYU Acapella Choir. He continued to sing in a variety of church choirs throughout his life. He also performed in amateur musical productions, including the role of Marcellus Washburn in “The Music Man” and Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” (complete with full natural sideburns!). Nilo passed his love of music on to his children and grandchildren. For nearly 60 years he led his family in Christmas Eve caroling expeditions lasting several hours to bring Christmas cheer to neighbors, friends and especially to people who may have been unable to get out to enjoy the season.

His children have fond memories of many cross-country trips, including an awesome three-month motorhome trip in 1976 visiting historical sites across the United States to celebrate the bicentennial of the USA. Other favorite driving destinations included the west coast to Canada, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite, Mt. Rushmore, Palmyra, Nauvoo, Washington, DC, Yellowstone, Lake Chelan, and always Wyoming and Utah. The long miles of those many trips passed more quickly with daily (or more frequent) family sing-alongs! In their retirement years, their love of travel took Nilo and Betty to China, Egypt, Israel, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.

Nilo is survived by his wife, Betty, his children Gary Atkinson, David Atkinson, Olin Atkinson and Tina Lu Atkinson, as well as 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Nilo’s parents, Otis and Geneva, his sisters, Lela Barnard, Elva Weaver and Eunice Horne, and his daughter, Ana Margaret Atkinson Bautista, all preceded him in departing this life.